International differences in information ethics

Ethics and internationalization are becoming prominent items on management agendas while information technology is assuming a fundamental role in 21st century life. A multinational and multifaceted research project is investigating a topic that intersects these three trends: international differences in information ethics. Scenarios based on information-related issues identified by Mason (1986) have been developed in order to examine ethical decision making. These scenarios are being used to survey managers on ethical dilemmas related to information privacy, access, property, and accuracy. Specific factors in each dilemma have been designed to reflect different stages in the moral development model developed by Kohlberg (1976). The information ethics of managers from different countries are now being studied. This paper focuses on the responses of managers from the two 21st century superpowers - the United States and the People's Republic of China - which have very different prevailing cultures. Although American and Chinese managers reached similar conclusions or outcomes on all but one of the ethical dilemmas, the factors shaping their decision making processes differed significantly. The findings are explained from a cultural perspective and the implications for international managers are discussed.